About Us
Classic Automotive provides a highly professional one-stop restoration service for classic car enthusiasts. From providing a pre-purchase check and evaluation, to project managing a full restoration, we provide a service using highly skilled professionals who are passionate about what they are doing.
Managing director Kevin Telford has clocked up more than 30 years experience in the automotive trade. Much of his career has revolved around classic cars and he takes a hands-on role in the operation of the workshop. Apprenticed at well-known Dunedin company Gardner Motors he went on to learn the electrical side at Auto Tuning and Electrical. Kevin made the jump into his own business in the early 1980s, running the Tune-Up Centre in Princes Street, before moving into larger premises in Bond Street as business grew.
All the way through, his business has had a strong focus on classic cars, for road and race track, and over that time Kevin has accumulated enormous experience in cars from all continents, be they European, British, American or Australian.
As the business grew Classic Automotive made the move to its current premises in Jutland Street, trading as part of the Total Automotive brand. It was at that stage that Kevin’s partner Donna Duncan came onboard as administrator and office support. Donna’s employment background includes extensive sales experience.
Kevin and Donna are actively involved in a range of classic motoring related clubs including the Otago Jaguar Drivers Club, the New Zealand Classic Motor Racing Club and the more recently formed New Zealand Grand Prix Specials Club.
“We seek to always do the best by the customer. Our aim is to step up to the mark and take as much of the load as we can off our clients. Whether it is sourcing hard to find parts or sorting out those unseen problems that are part and parcel of car restoration we look to make it as simple a process as possible for the car owner.” Kevin & Donna
Kevin Telford
Kevin remembers being bitten by the bug while traveling at well over 100mph down the back straight of the old Wigram airfield circuit at the wheel of an HWM single-seater that belonged to a former boss. With the ex Gonzales F1 Ferrari on one side of him and a genuine Jaguar D-type on the other he suddenly felt the passion classic cars generate. That passion for classic cars soon blossomed and Kevin eventually found himself behind the wheel of his own business, specialising in classic cars.
Always up for challenge Kevin enjoys the satisfaction of bringing a tired or apparently 'past it' car back to life and sharing his clients' passion for their pride and joy.
Kevin has extensive contacts in the classic car industry and there is little he cannot find and repair or have made. He also enjoys a close working relationship with a number of specialists in areas such as coachbuilders and panelbeaters, painting and auto upholsterers means he can provide a complete restoration service using highly skilled tradespeople with standards that reflect his own attention to detail.
Gary Young
An A-grade automotive electrician by trade Gary Young can draw on a vast experience in the automotive trade.
A passionate vintage car enthusiast Gary has a great feel for classic machinery that makes him an enormously valuable member of the team.
His personal passion is Model Ts and his skills are sought after by many a restorer. Gary's skills span all automotive decades and he is just as at home working on an electronic control unit in a modern car as is his replacing a braided wiring loom in a 1930s roadster.
And the team ...
Sonya is the smiling voice and face in the office at Classic Automotive, as well as being the oil that keeps the place running. If there is a question about accounts, or perhaps you want to talk to Kevin or one of the staff, Sonya is the one who can help.